Strip feeding device



Aug. 9, 1955 R. R. NYDEGGER ET AL 2,715,024

STRIP FEEDING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March '7, 1951 Aug 9 1955 R. R. NYDEGGER ET AL 2,715,024

STRIP FEEDING DEVICE Filed March 7' 1951 5 sheets-sheet 2 ||||l|| ll'mu'iilln..." 37 a 37 i IIIII l 25a t i ''lml 26a fig J7 36 26d ATTO EYS Aug. 9, 1955 Filed March 7, 1951 R. R. NYDEGGER ET AL 2,7

STRIP FEEDING DEVICE '.5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lTacl'i-l. 27a 14 25a i I 7c 28C INVENTORS.'

QM TTORNEYS.'

United States Patent Office 2,7 15,024 Patented Aug. 9, 1955 STRIP FEEDING DEVICE Roland R. Nydegger, Metuchen,

Highland Park, N. J., assignors a corporation of New Jersey and Gasper Paul Beck, to Johnson & Johnson,

The present application is a continuation in part of copending application Serial No. 162,336/1948, led May 16, 1950. The invention described in theV present application relates to strip feeding means and particularly to rotary devices for feeding llat web-like strips of varying thicknesses.

In certain mechanical operations, it is required to feedlongitudinally a continuous flat strip having sections of uniform thicknesses recurring therealong at uniform intervals and separated by regularly occurring sections of less uniform thicknesses. For example, in the manufacture and packaging of adhesive bandages, adhesive plaster units carrying respective gauze pads are spaced along a flat continuous tubular wrapper to form a continuous strip. This strip has a series of thick and thin sections alternately arranged in accordance with a regular repeat pattern. For feeding such a strip, as for example to a cutting station to sever the strip transversely between the bandage units, a feed device is` employed comprising a pair of opposed rotary feed rolls having peripheral nip or tractive engagement with the strip therebetween. lf the centers of the feed roll peripheries are fixed, then these rolls will bear with greater tractive pressure against the thicker sections of the strip than they will against the thinner sections. As a result, the roll force on the strip will be nonuniform and the speed of advancement of the strip will consequently vary. Moreover, if the feed rolls are radially set to accommodate properly the thinner sections of the strip, the pressure exerted on the thicker sections might be excessive enough to crush them excessively and/ or to jam the feed rolls. If the feed rolls are radially set to accommodate properly the thicker sections of the strip,` the rolls will engage the thinner sections of the strip with insufcient feeding pressure.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved roll device which feeds a continuous strip of regularly varying thickness with substantially uniform tractional pressures, which lends itself readily to changes by which the pattern of applied strip feeding pressure may be varied and which is comparatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

As a feature of the present invention, `the roll device comprises a pair of opposed feed rolls adapted to engage therebetween the strip to be advanced. One of these feed rolls has a rim member of rigid material such as metal, resiliently mounted on or coupled to a hub member or supporting shaft by elastic means arranged around the center of said rim member and permitting said rim member to yield radially with respect to the shaft or to the hub member, as said rim member is rotated in feed engagement with the strip. The elastic means varies therealong in strength (i. e. the force required to produce a predetermined deformation therein) in accordance with the pattern of thick and thin sections occurring in the strip to be fed and suffers deformation as the roll engages the `strip and the rim member is radially displaced or deected thereby.

In one embodiment of the invention, the elastic means is in the form of separate elastic elements arranged around the hub member or supporting shaft and varying in strength. The extent of elastic deformation of each of these elements at any instant depends on the thickness of the section of the strip in traction engagement with the roll at said instant and the force transmitted by each of the deformed elements to said strip depends on the strength of said element. The elastic elements of dierent strength are arranged with respect to the location of the thick and thin strip sections to transmit resultantly to the strip substantially uniform traction pressure, regardless of the thickness of the section of the strip under roll pressure.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the elastic means takes the form of an annulus of elastic material such as rubber, attached at its inner periphery to the outer periphery of an inner member or hub, and attached at its outer periphery to the inner periphery of a rim of rigid material. The necessary variable resistance to the radial movement of the rim `is obtained by perforating the elastic annulus and varying the size of the holes, varying the distance between the holes or making the holes uniform but removing a portion of the elastic annulus between the holes where more resiliency is desired.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the elastic means takes the form of a core of resilient material, such as rubber, embracing and attached to the outer periphery of an inner member or hub and eX- tending to the inner periphery of a rigid rim member only in certain radial directions, to offer maximum of elastic resistance to the radial movement of the rim in said direction. This core of resilient material is spaced along other radial directions from said. rim member to offer minimum of resistance to the radial movement of said rim member in said other directions. The core of resilient material may be in one or more pieces.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a face view of a form of strip feeding roll device embodying the present invention and shown with the resiliently rimmed feed roll in rotative position to contact the thinner section of the strip being advanced;

Fig. 2 is a section of the strip feeding roll device taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a face view of the strip feeding roll device shown with the resiliently rimmed feed roll in rotative position to contact the thicker section of the strip being advanced;

Fig. 4 is a section of the roll device taken along lines 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail section of one of' the stronger elastic elements employed to resiliently support the rirn member of one of the rolls of the strip feeding device and shown in keying position between the hub member and the rim member of the roll;

Fig. 6 is a perspective of one of the stronger elastic elements;

Fig. 7 is a perspective of one of the weaker elastic elements; i 1

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective of the strip adapted to be advanced by the feeding device of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a face view of another form of resiliently rimmed feed roll embodying the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a section of the feed roll taken on lines 0 10-10 of Fig. 9;

1l is a face View of stillianother form of resiliently rimmed feed roll embodying the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a section of the feed roll taken on lines 12-12 of Fig. 1l;

Fig. 13 is a face View of another form of resiliently rimmed-.fera rollmbpdyi the Presentinventia.

Eigglgt is.aradial,sectionfotthe feedroll taken-onlines,..1 4.-.1.4 of Fig ,13,; -v

Eig. 15 is aradial section ,of they feed rollrtakengon; lines 155-.15 of,- Fig. 13;Y

Fig.` 16 .isl a facefviewof. another. form-of resiliently rimmed feed `roll embodying the. Present: invention;

Fig 1,7- is, a radial section of; the, feed roll taken on line, 17:-1-7; of. Rc1-16;.

Eig;` 18 is.--..a.face,;vie w. ofy another form of, resiliently rimmedfeed roll embodying-,theA present invention; and

Eig?19-isa,radiaLsectiomof the.; feed roll taken: on. lines-,197,119-- of Fig.-` 1 8.

Referring to the drawingsandespeciallyl to Fig. 8, there isglrslrovvri-k a4 IiatL-,webvlikecontinuous .strip-Mkadapted to.- bef.adyanced longit11dinal1y yby, the feeding` Y device. or the p resent invention.I This.;StriP-. 10;rn,ty.-beA ofany suitable, form and.cOnstr,uction-, but is;- shown for purposesofjllustration as ,comprising aseries of spacediindividnal lungi, narroyv-i adhesive bandages ofV the, sarriei size.` andv rectangular shape,- a-rranged end; to end.: andzzeach includ-- ing a. piec ei 11l Ofadhesve plaster, centrally carrying.A gauze; pad.: .12... Ollior; morev thin protective.- sheets (not. shown) of, c\'1..01ine.or. other suitableexible.material. maygloyerle;eachgauze-pad 12, and ,associated` piece 1r. of plaster. A thin at continuous tube 13 of plain paper, glassineg. or; other,v suitable, material..v wraps the bandage units in,A lineand forms .with vsaid .units -.a continuous Lstrip having, similar thicker sections 14.' spaced .therealong at: regnlanintervals wherethegauzeipads 12 are applied .and similar thinnersections-.IS located between. the -ends of the individual, bandage, unitsand-sresultingfrom-the. bare Wrappingl tube.- 13.-.. This v:strip is .adapted to .be severedtransversely at theA thinner sections.- 15 '.midvvaybetweenthe ends.-` of the;individual.bandage. units.A T ire-ends ofthe cutiwrappenbeyondrthe bandageunits may-then--befoldedto complete the-.packaging of: each-bandage t unit.

The continuous strip `10 `isA adapted `to bei fed Jby-afeed devicescomprising a pair. of: opposed; feed rolls- 17 and 1-8=11aving;feed grippingengagement with-the strip therebetweenftofadvance lit longitudinally towardssonne-v operating station, as for example, a cutting-station.- These-- rolls 17 .and -.18 :'are shown: in :superposed relationship.; and atei-mounted on.- respective shafts-.20Hand-"21 supported om iixedacenters.: in. -suitable bearings ini-the frame -st-ructure-..22:ofthe-machine.- These`Y shafts 20L-'and 21o-may bedriven in--unisom vas .for--example'by means-of-'intermeshing gears 23 and 24 on said shafts,-. respectively.-

Onegofzthe-rollsa as for-example--the--lower yroll 18, is oii.:rigid;construction-, withnits rim section-supported in'- figed'tconcentric relationshipvfwith1 respect to its-supporting shaft 21, and is shown specifically made of oneV piecel ofsuitab1e.-metal such -as.1steel. The -roll-18lmay be provided with a knurled peripheryV to increase itsy stripl gripping characteristics They other-upperroll- 17I comprises a# hub sect-ion'- 25- desirablyv of 'metal-,- such'- asf steel; keyed or otherwiseA aflixednto ther shaft 20 and an-outer-rirn section -26-also desirably of metal, such as steel; preferablyfaced -witlrv rubber,y fabric or other-Jmaterial to'enhance its-frictional hold on the strip to be advanced, and radially-spacedv fronnthefhubnsectionf-ZSlto perni-it-` limited radial movement of said rim section in the plane of the rollf The# twoz-roll sections. :25. and Z265 are resiliently; connected or coupled-,together by resilientf-means-varying-'instrength-- against radial deformation around the roll section/251' In-.the.-.-construction shown-inj Figs'.1 1''7,f this` resilient meansstakes'y the forml-of-i-a: series-"of elasticelements 27 audrls .arranged between-the 1roll"seotions-and'around the hub section 25 and serving conjointly to urge yieldablyV the-,outer rimf-sectioni-Zf-into centeredjposition-orfinto k any predeterminedTadialilpositionwith respectA tothe-axis;-

--1 pair disposed in" radial opposition;

4 of the shaft 20. The elastic elements 27 and 28 are constructed of varying strength, as will be more fully described, so that they yield with varying resistance to the advancing etfort of the strip 10 according to the variations in the thickness of said strip.

The elastic elements 27 and 28 are desirably in the form of blocks of elastomeric'material, such as rubber, and more specically in the form` ofv cylindrical rubber tubes arranged with their axes parallel to the shaft axis.

Therubb'er tubes 27"'and 28l-areshown aILO'the-same 25 and thus force this rim section against the strip i lil-- with yielding pressure.-

Foi-varying-,tlie resistanceto the radial movement-,ofl therollrim section 26;under the intiuence of stripfeedr ing action, the rubberv tubes 27 and 28 are lof varying-elastic` strength. For-that purpose, ythe;rubber tubes.27-are made longer thanpthe. rubber tubes-28 andeXtend across thefull Width-.of the feed.roll.17,.while the shorter. rolls 28; are; centrally spacedbetWeen' the. opposite end faces of saidrfeed roll.

The twogroups of rubber. tubes 27 and ZS'are` arranged according to, the pattern of,th'in.and thick1sections regularly occurring in-thestrip 1). the invention shown, Wherezthe. thick andthinstripseo tions ,14 andflS vare substantially of equalnlength andzare:

substantially `of equal spacing, twelverubber tubes, .equallydistanced circumferentially, areprovided. These are. arranged inalternate sets of three, eachaset comprising:

tubes of ythe same length, so that two diametrically oppositesets ofv` long tubes 27 and two -diametrically opposite sets of shorttub'es ZSiin quadrant relationship are pro-- propria play-toeXe-rt the desired Apressure on' saidstrip'- as the roll rotates. ln tne form of--the invention show-n,

' the length' of--thefrim periphery of the roll 17 is twice that an individual bandage unit of the strip; Moreover, thev roll 17 is rotatively positioned in relation-totheistrip101- to bring-fthe axis-A-ofsymmetry-of thetwo sets-'of longer rubber tubes- 27 f in coincidence Withthe-'common center line'ofith'e-two rolls 1'7 andliwhe-ny a thin section 15.o-f*

the strip -isy cent-rally located in-the= biteof-'the-` rolls', as

shown in Fig. 1, and tc bring--tlie-faXis-B-of symmetry-ofi the two --sets-ot-'shorter rubber tubes 23- in coincidence with the common centerline ofthe rolls when thick-;.

section-14of-1the strip-is-cent-rally located-in the bite of the rolls7 as shown in'Figi 3.

inthe-rotative position of the roll 17 lshownf in Fig.4 l,

the rim section Zd'ofthe roll isdeii'ectedradial-ly anun-- imum distance, but since the deiiecting-loadis4 carried mostly by the-longer stronger tubes 27, the-force transmitted to -the-thinsection'- 15--of the--strip-isneverthelessA4 suiiicient to feed it effectively.

inf-thero-tativeposition of the roll 17 shown in-Fig. 3,

the shorter tubes ZS'carry mostof the loadythe lower set f of the tubes being mainly undery compressionfand the'l upper set--beingmainly under tension'. Under'theseconditions,I therim section 26 ofthe roll 17 Eis deflected ra-` diallyamaximum distance-determined by the thickness The-greater' off the-strip section 14 under feed pressure. deformation of the shorter tubes 23, undercthe'conditions' In the.. speciiic formi of.;

arranca shown in Fig.` 3 in relation tothe `deformation of the longer tubes 27 under the conditions shown in Fig. 1, is compensated for by the weaker strength of the shorter tubes, so that the forces transmitted to the strip bythe tubes 27 and 28 in both cases are substantially the same.

Inl the operation of the feed rolls 17 and 18, as the two rolls are rotated in unison in the direction of the arrows (Figs. l and` 3), they feed the strip towards the right. As the roll 17 rotatesfrom the position of minimum radial deflection of the rim section 26 of saidiroll shown in Fig. 1 to the position of maximum radial de- Flection shown in Fig. 3, the different sets of elastic tubes 27 and 28 come progressively into compressional or torsional play.` While in the phase shown in Fig. l, the main load is carried by the longer tubes 27 and in the phase shown in Fig. 3 the main load is carried by the shorter tubes 28, in the intermediate stages (where the thickness of the section of the strip under feed engagement with the rolls 17 and 18 may be somewhere inbetweenthat of the strip sections 14 and 15) the strip feeding load is shared mainly by both longer tubes 27 and shorter tubes28. The resultant reaction of all the elastic tubes 27 and 28, however, remains substantially the same. The feeding pressure of the rolls 17 and 18 on the strip will, therefore, remain substantially constant throughout its length, irrespective of variations in the thickness of said strip.

In the specific form shown, the resistance of the individual `rubber tubes 27 and 28 to elastic deformation has been varied by varying the length of these tubes. `However, as far as certain aspectsof the invention are concerned, the variation in the strength of the rubber tubes can be effected by changing their outside diameter, by changing their wall thickness or by changing theirelastic characteristics.

Figs. 9 and 10 show a modified form of resiliently` rimmed upper roll 17a comprising a hub section 25a, desirably of metal, such as steel, keyed or otherwise afxed to a shaft (not shown) and an outer rim section 26a also desirably of metal, such as steel, faced with rubber, fabric or other material in the form `of a thin tire, to enhance its frictional hold on the strip to be advanced and radially spaced from the hub section a to permit limited radial movement of the rim section in the plane of the roll. The resilient means coupling the two roll sections 25a and 26a together comprises an annulus of elastomeric material such as rubber, having its inner periphery attached to the outer periphery of` the hub section 25a around the entire circumference desirably by vulcanization an-d having its outer periphery attached to the inner periphery of the `rim section 26a around the entire circumference also desirably by vulcanization. This annulus 35 urges the rim section 26a into centered position `with respect to the axis of the hub section 25a and is provided with holes 36 and 37 equally spaced circumferentially therearound. To cause the annulus 35 to yield with resistance varying according to the variations in the thickness of the advancing strip 10, the holes 36 are made smaller in diameter than the holes 37,

and the holes are arranged according to the pattern of thin and thick sections occurring in the strip 10. For the specific type of strip 10 shown and described, the holes 36 and 37 are arranged in alternate sets of three, each set consisting of holes of the same diameter. Two diametrically opposite sets of holes 36 and two diametrically opposite sets of larger holes 37 are provided arranged in quadrant relation. The sectionsof the annulus 35 along the larger holes 37 are elastically weaker than the sections along the smaller holes 36. The rim section 26a will, therefore, yield more readily when the part of said rim section adjoining the region` of the larger holes 37 comesinto strip feeding nip position. p The strip feeding pressure of the roll 17a will, therefore, remain substantially constant throughout the length of the strip,

irrespective of variations in its thickness.

Figs. 1l and l2 sh'ow still another form of resiliently rimmed upper roll 17b comprising a hub section 25b affixed to a shaft (not shown) and an outer rim section 265 faced with rubber, fabric or other frictional strip holding material and radially spaced from said hub section. These roll sections 25h and 2Gb are similar to the roll sections 25a and 26a in the construction of Figs. 9 and 10 and are coupled by resilient means comprising an annulus 35h of elastomeric material such as rubber, similar to the annulus 35 of Figs. 9 and l0 and similarly attached at its peripheries to the roll sections 25]: and 26b. This annulus 3511, however, instead of being perforated with holes of different diameters as in the annulus 35, has round holes 36h of equal diameter equally spaced circumferentially. To cause the annulus 35h to yield with resistance varying according to the variations in the thickness of the advancing strip lit), the annulus 36in is cut away between holes to produce circumferentially elongated holes or slots 37b where less resistance to radial deformation is desired. The depth of cut-out between holes 36a is such as to produce the necessary variable resilient characteristics. The annulus 35b could be cut out between holes 36]; as described after these holes have been formed to produce the elongated slots 37b or be pre-shaped or molded in the perforated form shown.

The round holes Seb and the slots 37b are arranged according to the pattern of thin and thick sections occurring in the strip 1G and for the specific type of strip 1) shown and described, the holes 36h and the slots 37b are arranged in alternate sets, each set of round holes 36h consisting of four holes and each set of slots 37b consisting of two slots, each -resulting from cutting away the material between adjacent holes. The two sets of round i holes 36h are arranged in diametrical opposition and the two sets of slots 37b are arranged in diarnetrical opposition and in quadrant relationship with respect to the sets of round holes 36b.V

In the construction of Figs. ll and l2 as shown, the sections of the `annulus 35b along the slots 37b are resiliently weaker than the sections along the holes 36h. The rim section 26b will therefore yield more readily when strip feeding tractive pressure is applied to the part of said rim section adjoining the region of the slots 37b. The feeding pressure of the roll 17h will, therefore, remain substantially constant throughout the length of the strip, irrespective of variations in the thickness of said strip.

Instead of the forms shown in Figs. 9 to l2, with the `solid rubber annulus perforated with openings equally spaced but varying in sizes, the openings may all be round and of the same diameter but the desired variation in resiliency may be obtained by varying the spacing between these openings.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 13, 14 and l5, the resiliently rimmed upper feed roll 17e comprises an inner or hub section 25e desirably of metal such as steel, keyed `or otherwise arlixed to a shaft (not shown) and an outer rim section 26e also desirably of metal, such as steel, faced with rubber, fabric or other suitable material to enhance its frictional hold on the strip to be advanced. The resilient means coupling the two feed roll sections 25C and 26e comprises a series (e. g. eight) of elastic elements 27e and 2de of elastomeric material, such as rubber, shaped in the form of solid rectangular blocks or strips radially set into pockets 30e and 31C located in the confronting peripheries of the roll sections 25e and 26C. These blocks 27e and 28e are arranged in alternate pairs with the blocks of like pairs disposed in radial opposition, thus being grouped according to the pattern of thin and thick sections regularly occurring in the strip to beifed.l The blocks 27e and 28e areifirmly secured in their pockets 3de and 31C by cement as shown or, if desired, by any other suitable means, as for example by vulcanization.

For varying the resistanceV to theradialmovement of the' feed roll rim section 26C under the inuence' of'strip; feeding action; the. elastic blocks 27C` are'- made longerv than the elastic blocks 28C inv directionsparallel to the axis of' theL feed roll andr extend acrossthe'lullkvidth` of the feed roll17c, while the shorter blocks 23C are cenn trally spacedbetween theV opposite end faces' of said feed roll.

Since the shorter blocks 28e are elastically weaker than the longer blocks 27e, the rim section 26C will yield more readily radially whena pair of blocksZc is rotated' in position to carry the load resulting from stripv feeding pressure of the feed roll 17e, The resistancey of the blocks 27C and"`28'c to deformation therefore, as'the feed roll rotates in contact with the strip being fed; varies according to the thickness of the strip, with the result' that the feeding pressure of' the upper and lower feed rolls on the strip will' remain substantially constant throughoutits length'. The same effect could beobtained by making the blocks27c and'28`c of the. same length but of' different degrees of hardness.

Ina moditiedform of the invention shown in Figs. 16` and 17, the resiliently rimmed upper roll'17'f] comprises. an inner or hub section 25d desirably of. metal, such as steel, keyed or otherwise affixed to a shaft (not shown) and an outer rim section 26d also desirably of metal,` such` as'steel, faced with rubber, fabric or other. suitable material to enhance its frictional hold on" the strip to be advanced. The. resilient means coupling the. two roll sections 25d and 26d together comprises a one-piece solid rubber core 35d of elastomeric. material, suchl as rubber, embracing the hub section 25a'. This'. rubber 'core 35d, having a rectangular cross-section inplanes parallel to the axis of the roll 17d, extends f'rornthe hub. section 25d to the rim section 26d indirections along whichit is desired. to offer greater resistance to the radial movement ofthe rim section and. extends .from the hub section short of the rim section in directions along which it is desired to offer less resistance tothe radial movement ofthe rim section. To produce the desired' variations in resistance to the .radial movement ofthe rim section 26d in the feeding of the speciiicstrip shown in Fig. 8, the elastic core 35d is in the form of acircular annulus, except for two diametrically opposite seg? mental cutouts 40 imparting to said corer the general` shape of an oblong having straight parallelchcrdal sides 41` spaced from the rim section 262i and opposed'circular shorter. sides 42 quadrantly located with respect to. said" chordal sides and conformably engaging the inner periphery of the rim section. Theparts 43 of the rim section 26d, subtended by the chordal sides 41, are. sube stantially equal in length to the parts 44 ofthe rirn .section engaging the circular sides 4Z of the elastic core 3`5cll' The elastic core 35dis fastenedtothe roll'sections 25d and ZGd'by` cement as shown, or by anyv other suitable means, as for example by vulcanization ifdesired, andl its retention against axial displacement is assured by providing the ends of the hubsection 25d 'andthe .ends ofthe rim section 26d with flanges 45 flanking saidcore.

In the operation of the feed roll 17d shown in Figs. 16 and 17, maximum resistance toradial movement ofthe rim section 26d is offered by the elastic core 35d,`,wlien a part 44 of said rim section in contactwith the core is in pressure contact with the strip to be fed, andthis resistance gradually increasesuntil'the center of 'this rim part reaches feeding contact with the strip in roll position shown in Fig. 16. At this. stage, pressure is transmitted from the rim section 26d to .the elastic core. 35d 'centrally along its full diametrical length and resistanceto its deformation is therefore at a maximum. Since theelastic core 35d 'has been cut away or is absent along the. parts 43 "of 'the rim section 26d, resistance .to radialmovement of said rim section is lower when said parts are in feeding contactA withl the strip andis lowest when the centers of these parts reach the strip being fed. The

stripI feedingpressureoff thetroll 17d will; therefore;

remainesubstantially constantthroughout the` l`engtli-ofv the strip in'spiteof the' variations'v in its thickness'.

Figs; 18'1and'f19sh`ow still-anothermodied' form'rof fe'edrol-l'17'e; in' whichl the elastic core-35ecoupling the" feed rollk is-intwopieceseinstead of one piecefas' in' the constructionoffFigs.-l 16` and517. In' this modified'construction; thefelstie core- 35's?y comprises two Aseparate similarp`ie'cese50iin-JtheA formI off sectors of av circular annulus, secured'toihub" sectionZS'Aand to'the rirrrsec-A tion-26e,` by' cement -asf shown'for-by any other-suitable' ofi contaetrtherewith.Y

Thefoperation' offfthefed roll`17e` is substantially the samecaslthatvindicatedfor thefeed' roll'17d in the formI shown'sin Figs:y 16 and 17.

Itrshouldi be` notedtliat' inv all of thel formsi of the;L invention shown; tb'erouter rimsection of the upper= feed" rollr; iswrigidexcept'for al thinl rubber or fabric tire. or facingandlthis^ rinr-section'yields radiallywhen in contacttwith.' the stripbeingafed. The outer rim sectionldoes not-attennoutnagainsb tlie1y stripv duringfeeding.` action butcremainsicircular in contour.' during. strip feeding actiolnz.v .By maintainingisubstantially line contact between thecstripx'and: thei feedrol'ls; better: tractive :pressure control iszpossible.

Whatiisa :claimed: is:

1. In a strip feeding device, a feed roll rotatablev about.4

an.: axis: andfhaving a;-.rirnrrnernber: yencircling said axis,

around saidl axis: yand .resilientlyz supporting said. rim mem.- berffor:limitedzradialmovementiwith respect to said axis.-

2*.. Inraf devicer for. feeding a-V continuous `strip varying.A inithicknessralongaits length iniaccordancewith a. regular predeterminedirepeat pattern; ,a feedv roll rotatable about an: axis and' having a.y rimmember` encircling saidA axis, `and aseries of; elastic elements: of varying strength spaced around? said-L axis` and resiliently supporting saidf` rim member-for; limited -radial movement with respect' to. said;

axis,saidgelernentsbeingl arranged and grouped incon-` f'ormity.l with said pattern to transmit resultantlyy therebyl feedinggpressurelof substantiallyv constant value to theV strip; f

3: In-a-device for feedinga continuous-strip hav-ing.

two..sectionsof..different thickness regularly-spaced there.- along i in', accordance.7 with a; predetermined repeat pattern, afzfeedqroll comprising: a. hub member,xay rim member encircling'said.hubmemberand radiallyspaced therefrom, the.- confronting-,peripheries `ofsaid members l being providedawithpockets i arranged ini pairs f around the center of'tsaid:hubmemberfwith'the pocketsfof each pair disposedinradial opposition,- andaseries of elastic tubes between-said.members-.retained in saidpocketstwith the axes of-said:tubes.=parallel.rto .the axis of rotationtof said' rimV member.and.resi1iently supporting said riminember forlimitediradialy movementrwith respect to said hub member, .said .elastic .tubes varyinginv resiliency and beingl arrangedzinconformity with. said pattern to transmit feeding. p ressureof .substantially constant value to the- 4. In a devicenfor feeding.r a at continuous strip havingtwof'sectionsvof different. thicknessalternately and repeatedly arranged therealong inaccordance with a predetermined pattern, a feed "roll, comprising a ,hubfmemben a rim member encirclingwsaid'hub member and radially spaced therefrom, anda series of elastic elements betweensaid', membersA coupling said' members for rotation.v in. w unison and spaced around'saidh'ub member to support.y

resiliently said rim'member, said elastic elements being divided into two groups of different resiliency varying according to the thicknesses of the two strip sections and being arranged in sets, each set consisting of elastic elements of the same resiliency, the sets of diierent resiliency being alternately arranged around the hub member and being spaced in accordance with the spacing between successive strip sections of diiierent thickness, to effect feeding of the strip with substantially uniform pressure.

5. In a device for feeding a flat continuous strip having two sections of diierent thickness alternately `and repeatedly arranged therealong in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the feed` roll comprising a hub member, a rim member encircling said hub member and radially spaced therefrom, and a series of elastic tubes between said members coupling said members for rotation in unison and spaced around said hub member with their axes parallel to the axis of said hub member to supportresiliently said `rim member, said tubes being divided into two groups of different resiliency varying according to the thicknesses of the two strip sections and being arranged in sets, each set consisting of tubes of the same resiliency, the sets of dii'erent resiliency being alternately arranged around the hub member and being spaced in accordance with the spacing between successive strip sections of different thickness, to effect feeding of the strip with substantially uniform pressure.

6. A feed roll according to claim whose tubes in the two groups are of the same outer and inner diameters, but are of different lengths to vary their resiliency.`

7. ln a device for feeding a continuous` strip having two sections of different thickness alternately and repeatedly arranged therealong in accordance with a predetermined pattern, a feed roll comprising a hub member, a rim member encircling'said hub member and radially spaced therefrom, the confronting peripheries of said members being provided with pockets arranged in pairs around the center of said hub member with the pockets of each pair disposed in radial opposition, and a series of elastic tubes between said members retained in said pockets with the axes of said tubes parallel to the axis of rotation of said rim member and resiliently supporting said rim member for limited radial movement with respect to said hub member, said elastic tubes being divided intotwo groups of diierent resiliency varying according to the thicknesses of the two strip sections and being arranged into four sets, each set consisting of tubes of the same resiliency, said sets being arranged with two similar sets in diametrical opposition and with the two other similar sets also in diametricalopposition but angularly spaced from said first mentioned similar sets, in conformity with the spacing between successive strip sections, to effect feeding of the strip with substantially uniform pressure.

8. A feed roll according to claim 7 whose tubes in the two groups are of the same outer and inner diameters but are of different lengths to vary their resiliency.

9. In a strip feeding device, a feed roll rotatable about an axis and having a rim member adapted to encircle a shaft along said axis, and an annulus of resilient material adapted to encircle the shaft and attached to the rim member to support the rim member for limited radialmovement with respect to the axis and defining around said axis zones of different strength and of such substantial circumferential lengths as to cause successive sections of Athe resilient material coming into successive strip feeding pressure inuence of said rim member, as said feed roll rotates, to resist radial movement of said rim member in accordance with a well-defined pattern of variation.

10. In a strip feeding device, a feed roll rotatable about an axis and having a rim member encircling the axis and a single block of resilient material around the axis resiliently supporting the rim member for limited radial movement with respect to the axis and having a series of holes dening around said axis `zones of different strength and of such substantial circumferential lengths as to cause successive sections of the resilient material` coming into successive strip feeding pressure inliuence of said rim member, as said feed roll rotates, to resist radial movement of said rim member in accordance with a well-defined pattern of variation.

ll. in a device for feeding a strip varying in thickness along its length in accordance with a predetermined pattern, a feed roll, an inner member of rigid material, an outer rim member of rigid material radially spaced from the inner member, and a resilient annulus coupling said members together and permitting limited radial movement of the rim member with respect to the inner member, said annulus having a series of holes of different sizes around the inner member varying the strength of said annulus around the inner member in conformity with said pattern to transmit feeding pressure of substantially constant value to the strip.

l2. A feed roll according to claim 11, wherein the annulus is made of rubber and has its inner periphery vulcanized to the outer periphery of the inner member and its outer periphery vulcanized to the inner periphery of the rim member.

13. A feed roll according to claim ll, the holes in the annulus being spaced at substantially equal distances apart, and material missing between adjoining holes in certain regions of the annulus to weaken said regions.

14. In a strip feeding device, a feed roll rotatable about an axis and having a rim member encircling the axis, and a series of elastic elements in the form of solid blocks of varying elastic strength spaced around the axis and resiliently supporting the rim member for limited radial movement with respect to the axis.

15. In a strip feeding device, a feed roll rotatable about an axis and having a rim member encircling the axis, and a series of elastic elements in the form of solid blocks having the same cross-section in planes at right angles to the axis but varying in length in directions parallel to the axis, said elements being spaced around the axis and resiliently supporting the rim member for limited radial movement with respect to the axis.

16. In a strip feeding device, a feedl roll comprising a hub member, a rim member encircling the hub member and radially spaced therefrom, the confronting peripheries of said members being provided with radial pockets arranged around the center of the hub member, and a series of radially extending elastic elements in the form of solid blocks having the same rectangular cross-section in planes at right angles to said axis but varying in length in directions parallel to said axis, said elements being retained in the pockets to support the rim member for limited radial movement with respect to the hub member.

17. In a device for feeding a flat continuous strip having two sections of diiferent thickness alternately and repeatedly arranged therealong in accordance with a pre-1 determined pattern, the feed roll comprising a hub member, a rim member encircling said hub member and radially `spaced therefrom, and a series of solid elastic blocks between said members coupling said members for rotation in unison and spaced around the hub member to support resiliently the rim member, said blocks being in rectangular form and having the same crosssection in planes at right angle to the axis of the roll, said blocks being divided into groups of diierent lengths along the roll axis varying according to the thickness of the two strip sections, the blocks of the groups being alternately arranged around the hub member to effect feeding of the strip with substantially uniform pressure.

18. ln a strip feed device, a feed roll rotatable about an axis and having a rim member encircling the axis and a core member of resilient material for yieldably supporting the rim member for radial movement with respect to said axis, said core member extending to the rim member along `certain radial directions and receding from the rim member along other radial directions,y

whereby the-elastic strength of the core memberevariesV around said axis.

19?. Inastripfeed' device, the feed roll as defined inu cl'aim 18', wherein the core member is in the form of a circularfone-piece disc concentricv with therim member and having a segmental lout-out.

20;v In"a1strip\fe'ed' device, the feed roll as detined in claiml-lS-,i whereinthe coremember is in the form of* a circularl one-piece disc having aA pair` of diametricallyy opposite segmentaly cut-outs:

2l. In a'strip-feeddevice, a feedrol-l having a hub member; arim-memberencircling the hubmember, anda' core member'of-Y resilient material embracing the hubmemberlfand supportingv the rim-memberyieldably for radial" movementv with respect to the hubl member, the

core memberextending from' thehub memberv to and into1contact`-with certain sections of the rim memberl and having one or morecut=outs freeing other sections of theirim-memberfrom direct support'from the core member.

22. In a-stripffeeddevice, the feed-roll as defined in claim 2`1, wherein the^core memberis inthe formvof a circular one-piece annulus, except for'twodiametrically opposite segmental ycut-outs.

23, In a'` feed strip device, a'feed rollrotatable aboutan axis -and having a singlerigidrim member encirclingl the axis, and a core member of resilient material yieldably supporting therim member. for radial bodily movementswith'- respecttosaid axis-and comprising-a plurality ofl separatel solidL sector-shaped piecesextending to the rim member-and circumferentially -spaced to. provide-secL tions of the rim\member between theicore piecesfree from direct supportfrom the core pieces.

24.- Inva: strip` feedA device; a feed rolllhaving a hub member, a single rigid rim member encircling the-hub member, and apairof solid dametrically opposite-sector shaped core piecesof resilient material secured tothehub--member'and the rim member and supportingY the rim member'yieldablyv for bodily radial movement with respect*v to` thehub lmember.

25. In a device forfe'edingza strip-varying invthickness f alongitsleng-th in accordance with a predetermined pattern, a-feedf roll rotatable about an axis` and having a rgidLrim-.member' and a; resilientv mounting forthey rim'mernber; said' resilient mounting' varying inl strength around they axis oftheroll inaccordance'with saidppat-4 tern so as to -otfer avariable resistance to'radial move-- mentl of Ithe 'rirn ymember in accordance-with the Ivariations inlthickness-ofl the strip andthus lcausing the rimmem-- berf to exert substantially uniform feed pressure onA the= strip.

26;. ln= aI strip feeding device, a feed roll rotatableabout anaxis'-A andhavingf.y arim member encirclingvsaid axis, andelasti'cmeansV around said axis*resiliently'fsup-l porting `saidl rimlmember fory limited i radial movement with respect to7 said'axis and defining around said axisf zones of differentstrength and of such' substantial cir cumf'erential lengths asy to cause successive sections of the elastic means' coming into successive"stripfeedingl pressure influenceof zsaidrimv member, as said feed roll` rotates, to-'resistl radial movement ofi said rim memberin accordancewith a well-definedpattern of=variation.

27. In` a-device for feedingfa stripy varying'in thickness along; its i length in accordance with Y a predetermined pattern; aefeedL-roll rotatable about an axis and havingv al rim-memberencirclingsaidaxis, andelastic means around` pressing actionfof-the riml member under strip feedingA pressure;Y in conformityy with said pattern as the feed roll' rotates-andto'transmit' thereby-ffeeding pressure fof-v substantially f constantA value to' the strip.

28. Ii1,a-device'for'feeding a stripvarying inA thickness'- alngits'lengthin' accordancewith a predeterminedpattern, ar feed rollhaving'a hub member of rigid material, a rim member'of rigid'f'material radially spaced'from the hub member; and resilient means coupling said-members together"andpermitting limited radial movement of the rim'member; said resilient means varying in strength around i thehub` member in' conformity with saidv pattern and* defining' alternateJ weaker and stronger zones of substantial-circumferential lengthsy sufiicient to varythe resistanceofisaidresilient means to radial movement of saidA rim `member under theinuenceof strip feeding pressureasfthe feed rollrotates, and" to transmit therebyv feeding pressureA of substantially constantvalue to the strip.'

29;" A feed roll accordingjto'- claim 28,L wherein-the resilientmeans'is of rubber Vulcanizedtothe outer periph-y ery? of the" innerl membery and to the Iinnerperiphery of the-rinr memberz' 30." Iiiadevice for feedingl a flat continuous strip havingtwoisectionsof different thicknessV and of sub'-l stantiallengths'alternately and repeatedly" arrangedf'there'f alongr in^accordnce-with a predeterminedv pattern, thev feed"rollcomprising` a'hub member,` a' rim member* encircling 'said lhub-member -andE radially spaced therefrom, and resilient'means'between\ said members coupling said membbrs for rotationin unison, said resilient means v-aryingin-I strengthA around thehubA member' and having regions alternately; arranged with regionsl of' weaker resiliencyaaround'thehub member to varythe resistance of"said'`resilientmeans-to`radial movement of the rim member; said regions being:v spaced in accordance with thespacingbetweensuccessivestrip sections of dilferent thickness, and'beingofsuch circumferential lengths asv to'correspondtothe-lengths ofl said strip sections and to" effect therebya feeding l'ofy the Ystrip withsubstantially uniform pressure.

311' In astrip'feedingzdevice; a feed 'roll rotatable about anA axis andhaving'arim member encircling said axis, and'laseries ofel'astictubesspaced around said axiswith tlieirraxes `parallel to'saidaxis and resiliently supporting V said rimY member; for' limitedI radialmovement with respect'tosaid axis; saidfelastic'- tubes varyingvin resiliency topermit feeding' of* astrip; of` varying thicknesswith substantially uniform'pressure:

325 Ink ae strip feeding" device, a feed roll rotatable aboutt'an axisandthaving a rimmember encircling said axis,l and aseriesmf" elastictubes spacedI around said axis" with= their* axes' parallel f to said axis and resiliently supporting' said-rimemember for limitedv radial` movementcwitlr' respecttofsaid: axis; said elastic tubesY beingofVA similar'outerandtinnerdiarneterl but varying in Y lengthr` to vary their resiliencyl and -topermit thereby feeding of a strip Y of *varying* thicknesswith'A substantially uniform pressure;-

33. device-for feeding` a stripvaryingin'thicknessa-longdt'slengtl'rv inaccordancev with ya predetermined pattern; comprisingga-pairoffopposed feed rolls adapted to` engage the'strip -therebetweenwith feed gripping engagementto advance thestrip`v longitudinally andmeans forpositively-driving said feedlrollsin'unison at the same peripheral "speedj oneeosaidlfeed rolls comprising a hub member ofirigid' material; arim member of` rigid material"radially spacedfrom the hubmember, and-r re silientA 'meansn coupling; said* members-` togetheri and permittingtlimited'radial movement of* the rim member; said resilient means-varyingin'A strength around the hub'y member inconformity with saidlpattern, andideiningK alternate weaker and stronger zones of substantialcircumferentialleng-ths sufficient* to vary` theresistance4 of said resilientf means:v to radial@ movement of.y said`- riml memberstunderatheinfluence; of strip feeding pressure as the: feed'v rolls-,t rotate, `andA to transmit therebyl feeding. pressure, of, substantiallytconstant value to the strip.

(References on I following page) i References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Anthony Dec. 31, 1935 I4 Debrie Iune I4, 1938 Shaw Jan. 3, 1939 Schulmann Nov. 25, 1941 Kellogg Mar. 17, 1942 Grupe Apr. 24, 1945 Coombes Apr. 10, 1951 

